Elevated levels of domoic acid found in Dungeness crab between Patrick’s Point and the Oregon border spurred California health officials to urge not eating the crabs from those waters.

“Dangerous levels of domoic acid have been detected in the body meat and internal organs of Dungeness crab from this region,” a news release from the California Department of Public Health issued Tuesday stated. “Cooking crabs neither decreases nor destroys the toxins.”

The agency said the presence of the domoic acid could affect the opening of the crabbing season.

“The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with CDPH, has recommended a delay in the opening of the recreation crab season near Patrick’s Point north to the Oregon border,” the release stated.

Mike Cunningham, a Eureka commercial fisherman, was not surprised by the news of the delay of the season, which he said was supposed to begin Saturday for recreational crabbers.

“It’s something — I wouldn’t say we’re getting used to this but it’s something we have dealt with over the last couple years,” Cunningham said. “It’s a natural phenomenon, so not much we can do to affect it but be patient.”

He noted that a delay in the recreational season could be “good for everybody.”

“All things considered a delay in the recreational start, I think, is going to be beneficial in more ways than one,” he said.

“(We’re) hoping for the best,” he added. “Hoping that they come out OK. My understanding is that the crab quality (right now) is extremely poor.”

He said the delay would allow the crabs time to grow larger.

The commercial crabbing season could start as early as Dec. 1, but last year it was delayed because of the poor quality of the crabs. High levels of domoic acid were found in Dungeness crabs throughout the West Coast during the 2015-16 season, causing a six-month season delay on the North Coast and triggering the federal government to declare a fisheries disaster.

This year the tests show elevated levels around George Reef in Crescent City and north of Trinidad. Both had levels of domoic acid in excess of 30 parts per million, which is the recommended limit. North of Trinidad, the levels were as high as 46 parts per million, and up to 61 parts per million in Crescent City, according to testing done between July 1 and Oct. 22. The Bodega Bay area also had slightly elevated levels.

“There were a couple boats that went out of the Eureka area,” said Cunningham. “We have not gotten those results yet.”

Ruth Schneider is the city editor of the Times-Standard and is published in a dozen newspapers in Northern California. She has two degrees in journalism, including a master's degree from Columbia University's School of Journalism. She writes about LGBTQ issues, goings on in Sacramento and covers general news as needed. In her spare time, she yo-yos, reads and spends time on local beaches. She can be found at @RuthOUTspoken on Twitter and by phone at 707-441-0520.